Collapsible easel



Allg. 15, 1933. H V- MARSH 1,922,626

` COLLAPSIVBLE EASEL Filed March 28., 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l .5g 3.3 Z5 Z/ vZ5 /d/U Aug. 15, 1933. H. V5 MARSH 1,922,626

COLLAPSIBLE EASEL Filed March 28, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheel'l 2 Patented Aug. l5,

entren sriArris PATENT orifice COLLAPSIBLE EASEL Harry V; Marsh, Chicago, Ill. Application March 28,1931. Serial No. 526,0fla

e claims., (ci. 41o-14e) Y This invention relates to ilnprcrveml its in aflvertising display placards and vin paracular to a collapsible display having for rigidly supporting thin paper advertising` ina- `5 terial. c Y

. Fastening paper sheet having advertising niaterial, thereon to a framework composed oi cheap lightiinaterial so as topresent a taut and neat appearance as contrasted with. a ruined l0 appearance has been aY dirculty encounteredin bulk production. f

Unless frameworks have `neen composed Iof heavy material, many previous devices have failed because the paper displaying the printed material `has hung irregularity or in iolds and presents s an unattractive appearance, the very thing which a successful advertisement must avoid. The defeet just describaL more common in frameworks which are collapsible. Such easels have jointswhich Work loose and the'dcv'ices have here toter-e quickly become unsatisfactory.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a cardboard framework or easel upon which may he hung paper advertisements, which are held tautly in a predetermined position'and notperinitted'to hang in wrinkles or rolde or to i'lap loosely about. I Y

A second object oi the invention is to make suchacard'coard frame ofthe most ordinary cardboard` material, so fastened together vthat theeasel may he taken down into a seriesgof strips of uniform width-but of irregular length. Such strips when taken down provide a` compact, collapsed package designed so that it may be Wrapped inthe paper carryingti e advertising material and kept inthis forni until the advertisement is actually erected. l Anefunique object of the present device is to so combine a sheet of thin paper and the framework that an intermediate strip or frame meniber Will maintain the paper taut and a single snpporting strut. Ywill hold the standard .upright Heretoforeit has been customary to have at least two irarne members and two struts to obtain lateral as well as transverse support.

In order to assure tautness oi the paper advertisement, an expansion means is inserted be-V tween the upper and lower spars (fastened to the upper and lower edges oi" the paper) and the upright stud. An expansion force is exerted upon the spare which stretch the trans-- verseiy and longitud ily. Such result is accomplishedby the use oi ilexible y.neans intermediate one spar and an upright member or between componi-:ntI parts Aothe. lmember itself.

The invention assumes various forms and there are many unique arrangements whereby a single cardboard strip may serve several purposes, thereby reducing to a minimum undesirable rivets and punch holes. G0

Ther objects hereinabove recited and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are obtained by the unique constructionand ,combination of the parts tolee described.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of'an erected placard as seen from therear embodying one form of the invention;v Y l*Figure 2 is a longitudinal` section of the device shown in Figure ladjacent itsmidvdle point;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View of the expansion device in the head or the upright stud;

Figure 4 is `a fragmentary elevation. of theV central upright portion of another adaptation. of the invention; V

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure 4l at its median point;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation of a. portion otra vthird form of the invention` as seen from the rear; S031 rFigure 7 is a longitudinal section of theele- Vice shown in Figure 6 at its median point;

`Figurer; is an enlarged detail of an elastic means intermediate the component parts of the upright portionsof the easel shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure` 9 is a rear elevation of another form of the invention wherein expansion is obtained by elements arranged in a Y shape;

Figure lgis a longitudinal section oi the de- :2:

vice shown in Figure 9 atits median point;`

Figure 1l is a rearelevation of a device where a ifth type ofY stretching means is employed;

,Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectionof the de-4 vice shown in Figure 11 at its median point;

Figure 13 is al rear elevation of adevice having two Y-snaped expansion means to hold the paper front in stretched condition;

Figure Mis alongitudinal section of the device "shown in Figure 13* at its median point;

Figure l5 is a rear elevation of another form of theV invention wherein a different type of Y-shape`d expansion means is used;

Figure 16 -s a longitudinal section of the de-V vice shown in Figure 15 taken at its median point; and p Figure 17 is anelevation ol` any I of the devices'hereinabove mentioned when collapsed in a form suitable rior-packaging or packing.

Like referencecharactersareused to' desigmaterial 10 by suitable adhesive such as glue or paste. The numeral 13 represents an upper spar similarly fastened to the sheet material by adhesive 14.

The device, before erection, is generally in a collapsed form with the sheet 19 wrapped about the easel parts. When spread out, there are generally folds in the sheet material 10 due to the previous folding. These present an irregular surface to the eye particularly upon a printed calendered surface and the problem is to spread apart the spars 11 and 13 so as to draw sheetmaterial 10 tautly between the two spars. This may be accomplished by an easel 14 which, as may be seen in Figure 2, is composed of two' strips 15 and 16 with overlapping ends which are joined at an apertured point 17 by means of rivet 18 passing through said apertures.,

' In order that the easel 'may be readily attached to and Vremoved from reinforcing strips ll'and 13, to which the easel is attached when ,thedevice is in use, strip 16 is provided with an inverted keyhole slot 20 in its upper portion. Cross members 11 and 13 are fastened to their respec-v tive'ends of easel 14 by vthe kuse vof rivets21 and thev shanks of which t into keyhole slots 19 and 20.. v

By means of a strip 27 fastened to easel 14 by rivet 18 and held iniixed `relationship to easel 14 by strip 23 .bent at 29 to form an extension engaging said strip 27 by the employmentof a T- sliaped tongue 30 extending through ,a T-shaped slot 31, vertical positioning of the'easel'is assured.

The sheet and easel would not stand rigidly,

however, unless easel 14 is exactly measured to distend sheet 10 its full length. Advertisingv devices of this kind are saleable only when veryV cheap. They are therefore made in mass production. The result of machine, mass production is that there may be variations in said sheet material and the position of strips 11 and ,13'

thereon. Due to the same mass production Vof easels 14, there may bev variations in the positioning of keyhole slots 19 and 20 and of the riv- Oppositely disposed adjacent the top of strip 15 of easel 14 are notches 32. In the end of said strip 15 1s a notch 33. By placing an elastic band or jicord34over rivet 25 and between strip 15 and strip 13 before inserting the rivet r25 through the slot 32 and subsequently drawing the intermediate sections of said elastic outwardly so as to engage in said several notches, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the elastic 34-will be run upwardly over notch 33 and hooked over the shank of rivet 25. The opposed end of said elastic 34 will extend across the inside of the easel from notch 32 to second notch 32, forwardly, and upwardly over the slot 33.

By use of the elastic, inaccuracies in the cutting of sheet material 1) and attaching the cross members 11 and 13 thereto, as well as the inaccuracies of the easel 14 may be compensated. The extent ofthe elongated slot 21 in keyhole 2O permits of rivet 25 riding therein in a position to provide stretching of the sheet 10. The rubber band 34, using notch 33 as a base,v draws rivet 25 and cross member 13 upwardly until the sheet material 10, by even stretching thereacross prevents further movement.

The easel' is compact when collapsed. Strip 15 of easel 14 is disengaged from strip 13 and isthcn swung 180 degrees or entirely removed. T- tongue 30 is disengaged from T-slot 31. The result is that four parallel strips which may be of varying lengths are made parallel in a compact package. The strips may be laid along one strip (11 or 13) and the whole device rolled into a compact bundle (see Figure 17).

In Figure 4 there is a similar sheet 10 and cross members 11 and 13 and an easel 114 attached to rivets'Zl and 25 by keyhole slot 20 and inverted keyhole slot 19 therein. Easel 114 is composed of strips 35 and 36 which are held together to form an elongated easel in a different manner from that previously described.

Said easel 114 receives backward support from a strip 37 which is bent into a triangular shape at scores 38A`and 39 and held in such shape by a T-tongue l40 extending through a T-shaped slot 41. One side-of the triangular strip 37 is fastened to easel 114 at any suitable points by rivets Strips 35 and 35 overlap and have in the edges of their overlapping sections outwardly disposed, staggered notches 43 which are so positioned that by Winding an elastic 34 diagonally across said notches, a force may be imparted to said members 35 and 35l to move them longitudinally to attain greater length, which force is applied to rivets 21 and 25 in strips 11 and 13, thereby drawing taut the sheet material 10.

By disengaging the T-tongue 40 from the T- shaped slot 41, and detaching strips 35 and 36 loo from spars 25 and 21, the several strips may be arranged in parallelism to provide a compact bundle.

A third form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and S. Such form ofthe invention presents the same fundamental features as de- It scribed in the last described form of such invention. Y Thedetails of the changes include the replacement of the lower keyhole slot 19 in Figures l. and 4 by an ordinary round hole so that .rivet 21'and its head 23 permanently fasten the leg i;

forming strip 44 to lower strip 11. Such permanent fastening is possible because on collapsing said easel 214'y strip 44 may be angularly moved with rivet 21 as an axis and thereafter rolled up within the sheet material 10.

1n this, the third formr of the invention, the i Figure 3, there is cut in the-lower part of strip 45 i three members vertically.

ineaaea previous forms of the device, thatA is, strip 44 is part of a continuous strip having a section 51 and terminating with a T-tongue 52 locking in 'l"shaped slot 53 in section 5l.

In the surface of said strip 44 at articulation dtherein is a rectangular slot 55. A continuous elastic band 134 is hooked upon the shank of the `rivet 48 and extends upwardly through Vthe `rectangular slot 55, over the upper end of strip 44, and through the slot 46 to hook upon notches 56 in the lower edge of strip 45.

The elastic 134 employs the upper end of strip 44 as a support to and applies a pull exerted at notches 56 upon Vthe strip 45, toforce the strips 11 and i3 on sheet apart untilsheet material `l0 is-drawn into a-ilat'plane by the elastic pressure thus exerted at the ends thereof. l

Complete collapsibility of the easel is apparent frornthe drawings.

A fourth forni invention is shown Figures 9 and 16. Sheet material 10 and cross members 11 and 13 are used therein. Therea'sel comprises a i-'-shaped means having a part thereof, a lower strip 58 and upper strips 59 and 60 which iorm a Y when spread. Strips 59 and 69 are relatively movable and are movable relatively to strip 58, the three being joined by a rivet 68.

Strip 59 may be permanently but movably fastened toupper cross member 13 by rivet 62 and strip 69 may be permanently but movably fastened to the same member 13 by rivet 63. Such fastenings do not interfere with rolling up the device into a small space inasmuch as when disconnection is had in respect to strip 58, the arm strips 59 and 60 may be arranged parallel to cross member 13 and may be rolled up as is shown in Figure 17. The lower strip 58 is removably attached to cross arm 11 by means of rivet 21 engaging in an openended slot 64.

Firm positioning of strip 58 in slot `64 to obtain a stretching effect is obtained by the elastic means now to be described. Strips 59 and 69, parallel to their length, have elongated slots and 66 which are brought into registry with an aperture 67 in strip 58, the three strips being movably bound together by rivet 68 having a shank 69.

In each elongated slot 65 and 66, there is an enlarged end, such 7l and whereby the head 78 of said rivet 68 may be withdrawn. Horizontally in respect to said placard, when in use, but diagonally in respect to the length of strips 59 and 60, and extending from the outermost corners of said strips are kerfs 73 and 74.

An elastic means 334 is disposed across kerfs 73 and 74 and exerts upon strips 59 and 60a force tending to draw the short ends thereof together, the force tending to elongate the The effect of such force communicated to cross members 11 and 13, drawing sheet material 18 into a flat plane.

In this lform of device, the strip 58 has attached thereto a leg forming member identical with that illustrated in the second form of the respect to the support thereof are again present.

EXpansive-or stretching effect is obtained by ,having an easel oftwo members riveted together to conjointedly provide an easel of a length which must be compressed when attached to said sheet `material 10. In such form of the device, reliance for expansive force is had` in the tensile strength of thereasel strips composing easel 414.

Easel 414'is fastened to cross strips 11 and 13 by the use of horizontal slots 75 and 76, engaging the usual rivets supplied in strips 1l and 13. rEasel 414 is composed of strips 77 and 78, the former, 77, servingpartly to extend the sheet 10 and toprovide a leg from the section 79 thereof. Strip 78 serves to expand the sheet 10 and partly as alstay 79a to maintain the lower part 79 of strip 77 in its supporting angle.

Strip 77 is articulated at 80, the material therebeneath tting into the curved end 61 of strip 78. Strips 77 and 78 are fastened together by a short strip 82 by rivets 83 and 84. Lateral movement of said upright members 77 and 78 is generally prevented by the engagement of end 81 of strip 78 against section 79 of strip 77, but is positively prevented by the use of a rubber band 434 which may be employed, and which, when employed, serves to permit additional bendingof strip 77 when the length of strips 77 and 78 greatly exceeds that of sheet material.

.By removing elastic 434, bending section 79 back upon 77 and rotating strip 78,` 180 degrees about rivet 83, compactness is assured in the collapsed easel.

The sixth form of the invention is illustrated in Figures Vland 14, such form operating upon a principle similarto that disclosed in Figures 11 and 12. Strips 85 and 86 intersect and also intersect strip 87. They are held together by rivet 88. Strip 85 may be permanently but movably fastened to cross member 13 by rivet 89 and strip 86 may be removably fastened to a protruding rivet 90 in cross member 13 by means of keyhole slot 91.

Strip 87 possesses a keyhole slot 92. By disconnecting strip 87 from rivet 88 and disengaging strip 86 from rivet 90, strips 85 and 86 may be arranged in parallelism and disposed on cross member 13 preparatory to rolling the device into a compact bundle. The lower part of the device is a reproduction of the upper part merely I inverted.

A unique feature of the present form of the invention is that strip 87 as shown in Figure 14, is a section of a single strip of material which may be bent into the form of an uncompleted The last form of the invention to be described is an adaptation of the Y-shapedsupport illustrated in Figure 9 utilizing the strength of the strip material ofthe easel when bowed to provide stretching means for sheet 10. Strips 98 and 99 intersect one another and intersect vertical strip 100. Rivet 101 joins the strips together with strip 99 further removed from the sheet 10. Strip98 is permanently but movably fastened to cross member 13 by rivet 102 and strip 99 is re- ,movably fastened to cross member 13 by rivet 103 -v by the use of a keyhole slot 104.

Strip 100 has a keyhole slot 105 therein and is removably vsecured to cross member 11 by rivet 21. Said strip 100 forms one section of a triangularly shaped member, the rear section 106 of which is a leg or supporting means for the sheet 10 and the lower section 107- of which forms a cross bar to maintain supporting strip 106 in a predetermined relationship with the placard.

Expansive effort is exerted upon cross members 11 and 13 by the strips 98, 99 and 100 which have a total extent exceeding the distance between rivets 102, 103 and 21. therefore forced into an arched or bowed position as shown in Figure 16 and their elasticity maintains sheetv material 10 in spaced position.

Collapsibility is assured by disengaging strip 100 from rivet 21 and strip 99 from rivet 103. Strips 9S, 99 and 100 may be permanently attached to each other by rivet 101. The three strips may be arranged in parallelism and as strip 99 is outwardly disposed in respect to strip 98, there is no interference from rivet 102.

As in preceding forms of the invention, strip 100 forms but a section of a triangular support, the back section 106 of which serves as a leg.

Figure 17 is an elevation of any of the several forms of the invention showing the display device collapsed and rolled into the paper sheet 10. A rubber band binds the Whole device into a compact package.

Strips 98, 99 and 100 are K 1I claim:

1. An advertising device comprising a poster sheet, an easel therefor comprising strips extending from the corners at one end of said sheet in combination with another strip extendingV to the Opposite end of said sheet, and means for forcing said corner engaging strips together to stretch saidsheet longitudinally, all of said strips having their broad faces parallel to the faces of the poster sheet. l

2. An advertising device comprising a poster sheet, an easel therefor comprising strips extending frorn the corners at one end of said sheet in'combination with another strip extending to the opposite end of said sheet, and means for forcing said corner engaging strips longitudinally away from said end engaging strip, all of said strips having their broad faces parallel to the faces of the poster sheet.

3. An advertising device comprising a poster sheet, an easel therefor comprising strips extending from the corners at one end or" said sheet in combination with another strip extending to the opposite end of said sheet, and means for reducing the angle between the outer ends of said corner engaging strips and forcing said end engaging strip longitudinally away from said corner engaging strips.

` HARRY V. MARSH. 

